Weather, economy crimps Crisis Ministry

Small church becomes big supporter

Published: Friday, February 14, 2014 at 1:42 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, February 14, 2014 at 1:42 p.m.

The weather and economy pose systemic issues for Crisis Ministry of Davidson County.

Recent inclement conditions and frigid temperatures have brought more people into its two homeless shelters, including the Genesis House, a homeless shelter for children and families. Thus, the facility can quickly become full, and more food is needed.

In addition, monetary donations are down, creating a strain on the ministry that is primarily supported by churches.

"The need is great. The food bank is way down. People who don't normally stay here are coming in. My fear is that we'll have to turn them away," says director Gayle Whitehead.

The use of a church fellowship hall has been promised in the event of an over-run at the shelter, Whitehead says. In that event, mattress could be brought in for clients to sleep on the floor.

She says the pantry is normally well-stocked through the end of the year, but donations for September through December were down about 22 percent.

"We need any kind of perishable food. Any restaurant that would like to donate food, we would like to have it. We're going to get a lot of people in we haven't had in the past.

"Churches themselves are hurting," Whitehead continues. "A lot of people who give to their churches can only afford to give one time. Some have to make a decision to give to the church or to us. Some churches' budgets are down and did not meet their budget from last year. They say things are picking up in Davidson County, but we haven't seen that here."

Statewide glitches in food stamp distribution also played a role in need, the director says.

Whitehead acknowledges that last year's bed-bug crisis and the subsequent publicity caused some to stop giving.

"We did lose some support," she says.

But the ministry did gain at least one ally from the situation, Clearview Baptist Church on Clearview Road.

After hearing about the bed-bug problems at the shelters in 2013, Clearview donated $3,000 to the ministry.

"We just gave them our entire Sunday offering," explains pastor Jeff Purdue. "Not many churches can do that."

Purdue says Clearview is unique because it has no debt, "and we just have people who are givers." The church averages about 100 during its regular worship services.

Also this past year, Clearview member Leon Eller wanted to celebrate his birthday by giving something back to the community.

"It was a great success," Purdue relates. "He paid for all the food and cooked it … for about 120-130 people."

It turned into an all-day event, lasting from about noon to 8 p.m.

Clearview made a few trips in church vans to pick up families from Crisis Ministry shelters.

"We fed them … brought in clothes and shoes. We had games and prizes for the kids and a worship service," Purdue says. "It was a beautiful day."

"We take on different missions," explains Greg Cowan, a deacon at Clearview. "Sometimes we ask our members to bring in different kinds of supplies, whatever the need may be. Our pastor has made it more of a priority, a calling to give what we can."

The church is planning a special chicken dinner project in March for the benefit of Pastor's Pantry.

"Many churches have so much debt," Purdue says. "They barely meet their budgets. That restricts them with what they can do.

"God calls his people to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Crisis Ministry does a lot of wonderful work."

The ministry reaches out to people who can't help themselves, Purdue says, which is what churches are called to do.

"Churches should undergird them and support them. We're just blessed that we are able in that respect to do some of those things, and we don't take it lightly."

Purdue says an agency such as Crisis Ministry knows much better how to distribute donations than churches do.

"They know where to send money to. They know who needs to pay a light bill or who needs to buy baby formula.

"With all the churches we have in Lexington, Crisis Ministry should never have a need for anything," Purdue says. "This is our way of being there. It's amazing what God does for those who do those things."

Promise Baptist Church, Hebron United Church of Christ and Summit Baptist Church joined Clearview Baptist in assisting Crisis Ministry in 2013.

New this year is First Baptist Church of Welcome, Whitehead says.

Dwight Davis can be contacted at (336) 249-3981 ext. 226 or dwight.davis@the-dispatch.com.

<p>The weather and economy pose systemic issues for Crisis Ministry of Davidson County.</p><p>Recent inclement conditions and frigid temperatures have brought more people into its two homeless shelters, including the Genesis House, a homeless shelter for children and families. Thus, the facility can quickly become full, and more food is needed. </p><p>In addition, monetary donations are down, creating a strain on the ministry that is primarily supported by churches.</p><p>"The need is great. The food bank is way down. People who don't normally stay here are coming in. My fear is that we'll have to turn them away," says director Gayle Whitehead.</p><p>The use of a church fellowship hall has been promised in the event of an over-run at the shelter, Whitehead says. In that event, mattress could be brought in for clients to sleep on the floor.</p><p>She says the pantry is normally well-stocked through the end of the year, but donations for September through December were down about 22 percent.</p><p>"We need any kind of perishable food. Any restaurant that would like to donate food, we would like to have it. We're going to get a lot of people in we haven't had in the past.</p><p>"Churches themselves are hurting," Whitehead continues. "A lot of people who give to their churches can only afford to give one time. Some have to make a decision to give to the church or to us. Some churches' budgets are down and did not meet their budget from last year. They say things are picking up in Davidson County, but we haven't seen that here."</p><p>Statewide glitches in food stamp distribution also played a role in need, the director says.</p><p>Whitehead acknowledges that last year's bed-bug crisis and the subsequent publicity caused some to stop giving.</p><p>"We did lose some support," she says. </p><p>But the ministry did gain at least one ally from the situation, Clearview Baptist Church on Clearview Road.</p><p>After hearing about the bed-bug problems at the shelters in 2013, Clearview donated $3,000 to the ministry.</p><p>"We just gave them our entire Sunday offering," explains pastor Jeff Purdue. "Not many churches can do that."</p><p>Purdue says Clearview is unique because it has no debt, "and we just have people who are givers." The church averages about 100 during its regular worship services.</p><p>Also this past year, Clearview member Leon Eller wanted to celebrate his birthday by giving something back to the community.</p><p>"It was a great success," Purdue relates. "He paid for all the food and cooked it … for about 120-130 people."</p><p>It turned into an all-day event, lasting from about noon to 8 p.m.</p><p>Clearview made a few trips in church vans to pick up families from Crisis Ministry shelters.</p><p>"We fed them … brought in clothes and shoes. We had games and prizes for the kids and a worship service," Purdue says. "It was a beautiful day."</p><p> "We take on different missions," explains Greg Cowan, a deacon at Clearview. "Sometimes we ask our members to bring in different kinds of supplies, whatever the need may be. Our pastor has made it more of a priority, a calling to give what we can."</p><p>The church is planning a special chicken dinner project in March for the benefit of Pastor's Pantry.</p><p>"Many churches have so much debt," Purdue says. "They barely meet their budgets. That restricts them with what they can do.</p><p>"God calls his people to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Crisis Ministry does a lot of wonderful work."</p><p>The ministry reaches out to people who can't help themselves, Purdue says, which is what churches are called to do.</p><p>"Churches should undergird them and support them. We're just blessed that we are able in that respect to do some of those things, and we don't take it lightly."</p><p>Purdue says an agency such as Crisis Ministry knows much better how to distribute donations than churches do.</p><p>"They know where to send money to. They know who needs to pay a light bill or who needs to buy baby formula.</p><p>"With all the churches we have in Lexington, Crisis Ministry should never have a need for anything," Purdue says. "This is our way of being there. It's amazing what God does for those who do those things."</p><p>Promise Baptist Church, Hebron United Church of Christ and Summit Baptist Church joined Clearview Baptist in assisting Crisis Ministry in 2013.</p><p>New this year is First Baptist Church of Welcome, Whitehead says.</p><p>Dwight Davis can be contacted at (336) 249-3981 ext. 226 or dwight.davis@the-dispatch.com.</p>